Nell Pettus, a 58-year-old woman from Norlina, NC, was found dead outside her home at 497 Axtell Ridgeway Road on September 17, 2014. Her body was discovered by a relative, and an autopsy later confirmed that she had died from a gunshot wound. The Warren County Sheriff's Office, along with the State Bureau of Investigation, launched an investigation into her death.
The investigation led to the arrest of Nell Pettus' daughter, Rhonda Lyvaunne Pettus, who was charged with first-degree murder. Rhonda Pettus, who lived with her mother at the time of the incident, was taken into custody and held without bond. Her first court appearance was scheduled for October 8, 2014.
The case garnered significant attention in the local community, as authorities continued to seek information and tips from the public to aid in their investigation. The tragic death of Nell Pettus, a 58-year-old woman, and the subsequent arrest of her daughter, Rhonda Pettus, highlighted the complexities and emotional toll of familial violence.
